Citizens’ engagement for effective food strategies 

How can we support a short production and distribution food line?  

How can we encourage fairer and healthier food consumption? 

As guests of the last TANDEM webinar, some representatives of French and German institutions and local authorities shared ideas and experiences on the different food strategies implemented in their countries.  

Different approaches, same goal 

Laurie Lecoq, Deputy Head of the Food Policy Office at the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, presented the Territorial Food Projects – PAT (Projet Alimentaire Territorial) highlighting their crucial role in promoting local, sustainable and solidarity-based food. Supervised by the State, these projects aim to strengthen food resilience by involving various local stakeholders such as farmers, communities, associations, and citizens.  

Alexander Schrode, Executive Director of the association Nahhaft e.V., explained that in Germany local food strategies, although similar in their objectives, are distinguished by a more decentralised and often citizen-initiated approach, with support from local authorities that are themselves limited in resources. 

The experience of  Freiburg and PETR Sélestat Alsace Centrale 

Two local experiences illustrated the differences and similarities between the two countries. The discussion particularly focused on the projects carried out in the German town of Freiburg and the French territory of PETR Sélestat Alsace Centrale. 

Robert Gundlach – Head of Climate Protection in the city of Freiburg – and Markus Fugmann of the Food Council talked about the Food Council, a group that plays a key role in developing and implementing local food strategies. Composed of professionals with different backgrounds (agriculture, health, education, and trade), the Food Council fosters a participatory and inclusive approach to address food challenges affecting the region. 

Blanca Linz, Regional Development Officer of PETR Sélestat, proudly presented the development of the territorial food project. Through a network of local actors and the support of local authorities, this project aims to strengthen short circuits, promote local and sustainable products, and raise awareness among the population of the importance of healthy and local food. 

Since 2014, the TANDEM project has supported the formation of Franco-German partnerships for climate protection.  Curious to learn more? Visit the TANDEM website! 

Download here the presention (in French and German)